Re: Origin of "chav"


retrosorter wrote:
> Two theories have been posited as to the origin of "chav." Some
> believe the word comes from the name of the town of Chatham in Kent,
> where the term is best known and probably originated. The word,
> however, probably derive from a much older underclass, the gypsies,
> many of whom have lived in that area for generations. Chav likely
> derives from the Romany word for a child, chavi, recorded from the
> middle of the 19th century.

Here in Cheltenham we claim to have invented the term - it stands for
"CHeltenham AVerage", though conceivably it could as easily stand for
"CHatham AVerage".

Will.

.